A Neston boutique is celebrating yet more award success after its store manager was named Manager of the Year at a prestigious national retail awards ceremony in London!
Wardrobe At The Cross, which recently scooped two major customer experience awards in Chester, has added another accolade to its growing collection, with Sue Byrne receiving national recognition at Boutique Magazine’s Boutique Star Awards 2026. The independent womenswear boutique, situated on Neston High Street, also received Highly Commended for Social Media Strategy of the Year, making it another hugely successful evening for the small but mighty Wirral business.
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The latest recognition comes just weeks after Wardrobe At The Cross won both Best Retail Customer Experience and Best Overall Customer Experience at the North Wales, Chester & Wirral Customer Experience Awards, held at Chester Town Hall on 23rd October. It’s been an incredible few weeks for the independent boutique, which is proving that exceptional customer service, passion and a dedicated team can compete with some of the biggest names in retail.
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On Tuesday 10th November, owner Hilary James travelled to London to attend the Boutique Star Awards at the Victory Services Club, where she proudly accepted the Manager of the Year award on Sue’s behalf. Despite being the driving force behind Wardrobe At The Cross, Hilary was keen to make sure the spotlight remained firmly on Sue, whose dedication has helped transform the business into an award-winning independent retailer.
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Hilary said: “Whilst I’m perfectly capable of talking about Wardrobe at The Cross until someone discreetly switches off the microphone, this moment belonged to her. Sue Byrne has worked for me for three years. Her enthusiasm, diligence and endless ideas have helped shape our little multichannel indie store into somewhere we’re both incredibly proud of.”
She continued: “She cares deeply about our customers, whilst managing the considerable extracurricular responsibility of keeping me vaguely on course. There probably ought to be a separate trophy for that. Sue, you are bloody brilliant. I’m so pleased the wider industry now knows it too.”
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The latest award is another major milestone in the remarkable success story of Wardrobe At The Cross. Founded by Hilary in April 2023, the boutique has built a loyal following thanks to its commitment to personalised service, sustainable fashion and helping women feel confident about themselves. Hilary and Sue have developed a unique approach to fashion retail, focusing on body positivity, mental wellbeing and making shopping an enjoyable, confidence-boosting experience.
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Alongside its carefully selected collections of Scandinavian clothing and accessories, the boutique offers personal styling, colour analysis and video shopping consultations, enabling customers from across the country to benefit from its expert advice. The business has also developed a thriving online presence, combining the personal touch of a traditional high-street boutique with the convenience of modern ecommerce.
This approach has helped Wardrobe At The Cross accumulate more than 300 five-star reviews across Google and Trustpilot combined, with customers regularly praising the team’s honesty, friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile. Its digital success was also recognised at the Boutique Star Awards, where the business received Highly Commended in the Social Media Strategy of the Year category.
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However, beyond the trophies and recognition, the evening also served as a reminder of the importance of independent retailers supporting one another during an increasingly challenging period for the high street. Hilary shared a table with representatives from Seasons in Clitheroe and Lily & Me, alongside teams from Indie’s Attic and Renes Fashion.
She said: “Arriving alone and finding yourself amongst people who understand your working life quite so thoroughly is a lovely thing. Being an indie is bloody hard work at the moment. Yet here was a room full of people still coming up with ideas, backing their teams and cheering one another on. I’m fiercely proud that Wardrobe at The Cross belongs in that room.”
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The latest success means Wardrobe At The Cross has now celebrated three major award wins and a Highly Commended recognition in the space of just a few weeks. For Hilary, however, the greatest reward is seeing the dedication of her team recognised on a national stage. Alongside Sue, the boutique’s success is supported by Val Price and Hilary’s daughters Katy and Elly, who all play their part in delivering the personal service that has become the business’s trademark.
For a small independent boutique in a Wirral market town, the latest national recognition is another extraordinary achievement — and further proof that passion, personality and genuinely caring about customers can make a huge difference. With a growing collection of awards, hundreds of glowing reviews and a dedicated team at its heart, Wardrobe At The Cross continues to fly the flag for independent retail and put Neston firmly on the fashion map!
Wardrobe At The Cross / 25a High Street, Neston, CH64 9TZ / 07786856886
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